SALEM Salvation Army hopes giant kettle stirs up donations

By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
With Christmas a week away, area Salvation Army corps are hoping to make ends meet in a slumping economy.
The Salem corps created the world's largest Salvation Army red kettle in an effort to boost donations.
Capt. Tom Hinzman, commander of the Salem corps, said because of the loss of jobs in the county this year and the slumping economy, collections are down while the need for assistance has increased sharply.
About 750 families applied for assistance this year, compared with 450 in 2001.
Where to find it
Hinzman said people dropped off donations in the huge kettle at the Giant Eagle parking lot on East State Street this past Saturday. The 1,100-gallon container will be there again from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Traditional kettles are about 11/2 gallons, he said.
Hinzman said the kettle was taken to area schools Friday, then adults and children made donations Saturday. Some people driving by stopped and wrote checks, he said.
The Salem corps decided to extend the fund drive because many people stopped at the kettle Saturday or called later to say they planned to donate but forgot about the giant kettle effort.
Salem's bell-ringing volunteers are trying to overcome loss of collections at the local Ames store that closed this year. About $13,000 was collected there last year.
Hinzman said he won't know how much is in the giant kettle until the money is counted Monday.
Efforts elsewhere
Meanwhile, corps officials in Warren have the task of making up a $15,000 shortfall from the loss of two Phar-Mor stores and two Ames stores.
Capt. Robert Kramer, Warren corps commander, said volunteers there are trying to provide for 706 families. Although red-kettle donations are lagging, the campaign for toys and food is going well, he said.
In Youngstown, Major David Lyle said with tolerable weather and dedicated volunteers, his corps should meet its red-kettle goal and provide for 1,400 families.
Volunteers continue to accept cash and toys, he said. About 2,000 children will receive donated toys Wednesday, he said.
In Sharon, Maj. Ted Slye said the red-kettle effort for about 1,000 Mercer County families is ahead of schedule. Donations there are up about 5 percent over last year, he said.
The New Castle corps could not be reached.